Power transmission of the interleaved, multiple friction plate clutch type

Abstract

A power transmission of the type having an interleaved, multiple friction plate clutch in which helical cam elements are used to provide clutch plate clamp up force and transmit driving torque between the parts. In one form of such a transmission where the input and output members are arranged in coaxial alignment, special axial thrust absorbing means are used for absorbing the axial thrust developed in one clutch assembly.

I claim: 
     
       1. In a power transmission of the interleaved, multiple friction plate type, a rotatable shaft, a helical cam element fixed with said shaft, a friction plate type clutch mounted around said shaft and having a clutch drum member having a helical cam element which is cooperative with said helical cam element of said shaft, a gear journalled on said shaft for rotation relative thereto, a splined second clutch member integral with said gear for rotation therewith, interleaved friction plates splined to and located between said clutch members, and shifting means for axially shifting said drum member and its cam element to engagingly clamp up and disengage said friction plates, whereby clutch clamp up force and driving torque are transmitted through and by said cam element, said clutch drum member having internal splines and said second clutch member being formed as an axially extending hub from said gear and has external splines, said interleaved friction plates being splined to said clutch drum splines and said second clutch member splines. 
     
     
       2. The transmission set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said clutch drum member has an axially extending hub and said helical cam element is located on an axial end of said hub and faces in an axial direction. 
     
     
       3. The transmission set forth in claim 1 further characterized in that said clutch drum member is rotatable relative to said shaft when said clutch is disengaged, and said second clutch member is journalled for rotation on said shaft. 
     
     
       4. The transmission set forth in claim 3 further characterized in that said clutch drum member has an axially extending hub and said helical cam element is located on an axial end of said hub and faces in an axial direction. 
     
     
       5. A power transmission as set forth in claim 3 further characterized in that said clutch drum member has internal splines and said second clutch member is formed as an axially extending hub from said gear and has external splines, said interleaved friction plates being splined to said clutch drum splines and said second clutch member splines. 
     
     
       6. The transmission set forth in claim 5 further characterized in that said clutch drum member has an axially extending hub and said helical cam element is located on an axial end of said hub and faces in an axial direction. 
     
     
       7. In a power transmission of the interleaved, multiple friction plate type, a rotatable shaft, a helical cam element fixed with said shaft, a friction plate type clutch mounted around said shaft and having a clutch drum member having a helical cam element which is cooperative with said helical cam element of said shaft, a gear journalled on said shaft for rotation relative thereto, a splined second clutch member integral with said gear for rotation therewith, interleaved friction plates splined to and located between said clutch members, and shifting means for axially shifting said drum member and its cam element to engagingly clamp up and disengage said friction plates, whereby clutch clamp up force and driving torque are transmitted through and by said cam elements, said helical cam element fixed to said shaft having a gear fixed therewith for rotation with said shaft, whereby power can be taken from said shaft selectively through said gear journalled on said shaft or said gear fixed with said cam element on said shaft, depending on whether said clutch is engaged or disengaged, respectively. 
     
     
       8. A power transmission of the interleaved, multiple friction plate type, a housing, a rotatable first shaft mounted in said housing, helical cam means fixed with said shaft and for rotation therewith, a pair of friction plate type clutches mounted around said shaft and each comprising; a clutch drum member mounted on said shaft for limited axial movement relative to said shaft, said drum member having a helical cam element which is cooperative with said helical cam means of said shaft, a splined second clutch member journalled for rotation on said shaft and having a gear formed therewith, interleaved friction plates splined to and located between said members; and means for selectively and axially shifting said clutching drum members, whereby said cam elements selectively shift axially for driving contact with said cam means to engagingly clamp up and disengage said friction plates, and whereby clamp up force and drive torque are selectively transmitted through and by said cam elements and through and by said cam means, said clutch drum member having internal splines and said second clutch member being formed as an axially extending hub from said gear and has external splines, said interleaved friction plates being splined to said clutch drum splines and said second clutch member splines. 
     
     
       9. A power transmission of the interleaved, multiple friction plate type, a housing, a rotatable first shaft mounted in said housing, helical cam means fixed with said shaft and for rotation therewith, a pair of friction plate type clutches mounted around said shaft and each comprising; a clutching drum member mounted on said shaft for limited axial movement relative to said shaft, said drum member having a helical cam element which is cooperative with said helical cam means of said shaft, a splined second clutch member journalled for rotation on said shaft and having a gear formed therewith, interleaved friction plates splined to and located between said members; means for selectively and axially shifting said clutching drum members, whereby said cam elements selectively shift axially for driving contact with said cam means to engagingly clamp up and disengage said friction plates, and whereby clamp up force and drive torque are selectively transmitted through and by said cam elements and through and by said cam means, and a generally tubular shaft also mounted in said housing and arranged coaxially with said first shaft and extending from said housing, said generally tubular shaft being fixed with one of said gears formed with one of said second clutch members, said first shaft being rotatably journalled at one end within said generally tubular shaft, an axial thrust absorbing means connected between said one end of said first shaft and said generally tubular shaft for absorbing axial thrust of said first shaft in one direction when one of said clutches is engaged.